Student-Athlete Spotlight | Sadio Fenner

Sadio Fenner | Student-Athlete Spotlight
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Sophomore
Nebraska Track & Field/Cross Country    

What does it mean to be a letterwinner at the University of Nebraska?
Being a letterwinner means that you are able to embrace adversity within the classroom and on the field of competition. Rather than let it act as a barrier, it was used as a stepping stone to join the elite members of all of those who were able to do the same before you and set the tone for all of those who will come after.

There is No Place Like Nebraska rings true for many student athletes and letterwinners.  What does this saying mean to you?
There really is no place like Nebraska. There have been so many amazing things accomplished on this campus that no other university can claim. Not to mention all of the unique and talented people to have walked through here. Each one brings a different color to the palatte that paints the canvas of Nebraska's legacy, better yet, of our legacy. I’d be willing to argue that no one could replicate what we’ve got going on here.

What is your fondest memory as a University of Nebraska student-athlete?
I’d say my fondest memory so far was having a teacher reach out to me after a group of two other student-athletes and I went to talk to their class of fifth graders. I didn’t speak directly to this particular student in a one-on-one setting but he apparently went from having 13 or so missing assignments to two in a span of three days and when asked what got him to finish them, he said that me talking about how nothing worth having was ever easy and if it was, everyone would do it. He also wrote me a note thanking me for motivating him and that he wanted to be like me. Just knowing that I can have that sort of a positive impact on someone’s life makes me happy.

What is one thing you would like to share with other letterwinner alumni?
While I might not know you personally, I definitely look up you because I know this journey isn’t an easy one but seeing other people prove that you can get through it and be better because of it, gives me hope that I can too.

What is the story that got you to Nebraska?
I came on my official visit not really super interested if I'm being very honest. But after having seen the impressive history that this university has well as all of the resources and time that it puts into its student-athletes to make sure they are successful, I was sold. It was also nice to see the men's basketball team beat Michigan during the visit so that was just the frosting on the cake.